Remember to use hand sanitiser and take the course
Students have been good to follow infection control rules during the semester start week, but there is still a way to go in keeping a safe distance and using hand sanitiser often enough.
This article is more than two years old, and may contain outdated information.
Gunn Kristine (to the left) and Marie were in a hurry but stopped anyway to use hand sanitiser at the main entrance at Campus Kristiansand. Behind them are the "trivselsvakter" Amna Drace (to the left) and Elin Gauslaa ready to give out refillable pocket-sized hand sanitiser bottles. Refill stations will be available soon.
According to the media in Southern Norway, the semester start week («fadderuka”) in Grimstad and Kristiansand started off well. Leader of operations at Agder Police District, Linn Andresen, said to Agderposten that no special or serious incidents have been registered so far.
“We have been experiencing the typical complains associated with nightlife: loud music, parties and some expulsions”, says Andresen. "Agder Police has not registered any special breaches of infection control rules last night, nor observed large gatherings of people”, she says to the newspaper.
This is good news for UiA and for the region. Across the country, several universities and colleges had to close departments and students have been quarantined after several coronavirus outbreaks during semester start.
The rules must be followed
Despite the absence of serious incidents, in Kristiansand and Grimstad, students have been gathering in groups with more than 20 persons, on and off campus, with and without alcohol consumption, and the one-meter rule has not always been followed.
Today, rector Sunniva Whittaker interrupted a lecture to remind the students who sat in the auditorium that the markings on the seats should not be ignored. As a result, many students got up and moved to a seat marked with a green sticker.
"If you do not follow the infection control rules, you might end up sitting in front of a screen in your room, instead of being here attending face to face lectures”, reminded Whittaker.
This Spring, students were asked how they experienced a fully digital semester when the university’s doors were closed. The results were unanimous: students prefer to have lectures in person. Because of this, UiA has gone to great lengths to ensure a safe and open campus this semester. It is, therefore, very important that everyone makes an effort to avoid an outbreak of COVID-19.
Green stickers in auditoriums and on tables and chairs in the common areas mark the places you can sit. By sitting in these spots, you will be keeping a safe distance from others.
Remember to use hand sanitiser
Apply hand sanitizer when you arrive and leave campus. Use the pocket-sized bottle you have been given and refill it at one of the refill stations (“Gata” at Campus Grimstad and “Vrimlehallen” at Campus Kristiansand).